Muslims urge Mega to cut ties with RP

Muslims urge Mega to cut ties with RP

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Around 500 Muslims grouped in the newly formed Islamic Law Enforcement Committee (KPPSI) staged a rally at the South Sulawesi legislative council to demand that the central government take extreme measures to release the three Muslim Indonesians being detained on terrorist charges in the Philippines.

The protesting group included Jundullah fighters, the Islamic Youth Movement (GPI) and the Association of the Indonesian Muslim Students (HMI).

The protesters urged President Megawati Soekarnoputri to cut diplomatic ties with the Philippines if Manila refused to free the suspects, Tamzil Limrung, Agus Dwikarna and Djamal Balfas.

They also denounced Manila for revealing the involvement of the three suspects with some militant Islamic organizations in Indonesia.

The three were arrested in Manila on March 13, 2002, on charges of possessing explosives and violating immigration laws, after trying to board an international flight with the explosives.

Secretary of KPPSI's Advocacy Team Iswari Al Farisi slammed the government for failing to take a firm stance in dealing with the detainees.

"It is an insult to Indonesian sovereignty. Why is the government keeping silent?" Iswari asked.

The Filipino authorities have asserted that it is their right to arrest criminals in their country, regardless of citizenship.--JP